A small, abandoned town in Colorado is having an Atlantis moment.
Iola had been deep underwater since the 1960s, when the Blue Mesa Dam and Reservoir were first built and filled. It was one of three towns, several ranches and a handful of world-renowned fly-fishing resorts swallowed up by the reservoir.
But the drought that ravaged Colorado this year has dropped Blue Mesa Reservoir’s water levels to historic lows. As the water drained to just 39 percent capacity, Iola rose again.
It’s now possible to walk the outlines of old streets. Many foundations have reappeared, including the town’s general store, the Big Little Store. They’re the only traces of the buildings that remain.
The cement base of the school’s flag pole has the initials of students and local cattle brands inscribed in it. You could even kick around Coors cans so old, you would have used a church key to open them.
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